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October 26, 2021

Allied Health Workforce Diversity Act

Legislation Receives Congressional Hearing

  • Government Relations News

On Tuesday, October 26, the Subcommittee on Health of the Committee on Energy and Congress held a hearing titled, “Caring for America: Legislation to Support Patients, Caregivers, and Providers.”

Seven bills were “heard” as part of this hearing including the Allied Health Workforce Diversity Act (H.R. 3320). The Academy strongly supports this legislation and has worked collaboratively with other allied health-related associations representing the additional provider types to lobby for and secure congressional support for this legislation.

This legislation provides $5 million per year in grants and stipends for students of racial or ethnic minorities, disadvantaged backgrounds, or with disabilities, in programs preparing audiologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, and respiratory therapists. ACAE-accredited audiology programs are specifically recognized, and the Academy is listed as an organization that would provide input into the disbursement of funds. 

This legislation is critical in light of the fact that the population of people treated by audiologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech-language pathologists (SLPs), and respiratory therapists is far more diverse than the professionals treating them. 

In addition, a recent Institutes of Medicine report found that patients who receive treatment from professionals of similar ethnic background often trust their therapists more and are more likely to follow through on their treatment.

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Academy Provides Recommendations to Congress on Remedying Health-Care Workforce Shortages

The American Academy of Audiology responded to a request for information issued by the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee seeking input on strategies to remedy current health-care workforce shortages. Academy comments urge congressional leaders to approve federal appropriations to fund the recently enacted Allied Health Workforce Diversity Act (AHWD). This funding would…

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The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) became the first state in the nation to screen all newborns for congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV), a common viral infection that can have serious health effects for children if not detected early. This common virus can lead to hearing loss in about 20 percent of diagnosed cases.   Minnesota passed…

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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released further guidance for audiologists on billing for services using the AB modifier for limited direct access.  Effective January 1, 2023, the new Medicare policy for limited direct access allows audiologists to see beneficiaries without a physician order for non-acute hearing conditions and to bill 36 CPT codes using…

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